Helping hand for home tutors

Practical advice is now as close as the television for isolated rural families, thanks to a new DVD to help parents who have taken on the role of home tutor.

Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the Home Tutor Guide DVD was developed in conjunction with the Isolated Children's Parents' Association of Western Australia (ICPA-WA).

"Parents of students studying through Schools of the Air and Schools of Isolated and Distance Education often take on the role of home tutor to support their children," Mr McGowan said.

"These parents play a pivotal role in educating their children.

"Being a home tutor is exceptionally rewarding for most parents. However, being in a remote area can leave home tutors feeling isolated or concerned about their children's progress.

"The Home Tutor Guide DVD was created with input from educators and parents and demonstrates teaching and communication methods, as well as providing practical hints for engaging and teaching children at different year levels."

The DVD includes sections on easing children into school, home tutoring for the inexperienced, using the environment as a source of learning, teaching a gifted child and teaching a child with learning difficulties.

Five WA home tutors were interviewed for the DVD, from across the State, including:

·         Carina Kopke, of Melita Station, near Leonora;

·         Chris Higham, Meedo Station, Kimberley;

·         Leslie Thiele, Thangoo Station, Broome;

·         Aggie Forrester, Winning Station, Carnarvon; and

·         Carolyn Halleen, Boolardy Station, Meekatharra.

Carina Kopke, who previously taught at Kalgoorlie School of the Air, said teaching other people's children was very different from teaching her own.

"Taking part in the DVD was an opportunity to show what it's like being a home tutor and hopefully give support to other home tutors by showing them that they're not alone," she said.

Mrs Kopke, who has twin eight-year-olds, a boy and girl, and a six-year-old daughter, said good organisation was the secret to juggling the different educational levels of her children while running the family property with her husband.

The Home Tutor Guide was developed by the Department of Education and Training's WestOne Services in partnership with ICPA-WA, with funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).